"One approaches the journey's end. But the end is a goal, not a catastrophe."
This week our topic was focused on the differences between cooperative and collaborative learning. The traditional method of teaching is teacher-centered with students reading text, memorizing facts, and taking tests. Cooperative and Collaborative Learning are both methods of teaching in which students use authentic real-world based examples and create a culliminating project working together in groups. Students are challenged, every group member contributes, and the tasks are clearly defined.
Collaborative learning is when students work in teams to explore a topic of interest and create a reflection of their learning process and then share their results with others learning the same thing. Teachers do not also have a pre-set problem and solution. Students explore different ideas and concepts to solve the problem. Each group could be working on different projects at the same time. Cooperative learning is a little different because students work together in small groups, but they are individually held accountable for their learning as well as their groups learning. They have to help each other learn, which creates an environment of achievement. Teachers usually already have a pre-set problem and solution answer set that the students will be working to solve. Assessments can come through a variety of open-ended projects and their are clear obtainable goals set.
The following video detailed an excellent example of science classes using project-based learning: Project-Based Learning Video. Students are creating projects that demonstate what they have learned. I love that in this video they suggest "giving-up" curriculum which means getting rid of pacing guides and learning has to take place on a certain day. PBL allows students to use the knowledge they get through creation, collaboration, and experimentation. PBL increases student achievement, build communication and collaboration skills, creates higher-level thinking, and provides application through real-time projects. I love that they students can discuss and are knowledgable about their projects. A lot time group projects in traditional classrooms are done by only one group member and the rest have no idea what the topic was even about. Students who use PBL have to research and be held accountable for each other's learning. They also have to be able to communicate their findings to community members, faculty, or other groups.
Cooperative learning can place a lot of demands on teachers such as: time constraints, changing classroom environment, multiple projects going on at the same time, and lack of physical space. Having kids work in group does not necessiarily mean that cooperative learning is taking place. The Cooperative Learning article, suggests that group members have to depend on each other, have face-to-face interaction, each member has to be held accountable, and group members are recognized for achievement in order for cooperative learning to take place. It is very difficult with large classes and limited space to have continual group work. It can be very stressful on teachers because some group dynamics might not mix, competition might occur between team members or groups, and sharing of materials can be a problem. The role of the teacher is extremely important to group the students based on their personalities, skill level, and gender. A bad grouping of students can ruin an entire project and end result.
Questions to ponder ....
How does cooperative and collaborative learning impact student achievement?
How does the teacher manage differing group personalities?
Doesn't making other group member's responsible for their peers learning place "pressure" on the stronger students?
"One approaches the journey's end. But the end is a goal, not a catastrophe."
This week our topic was focused on the differences between cooperative and collaborative learning. The traditional method of teaching is teacher-centered with students reading text, memorizing facts, and taking tests. Cooperative and Collaborative Learning are both methods of teaching in which students use authentic real-world based examples and create a culliminating project working together in groups. Students are challenged, every group member contributes, and the tasks are clearly defined.
Collaborative learning is when students work in teams to explore a topic of interest and create a reflection of their learning process and then share their results with others learning the same thing. Teachers do not also have a pre-set problem and solution. Students explore different ideas and concepts to solve the problem. Each group could be working on different projects at the same time. Cooperative learning is a little different because students work together in small groups, but they are individually held accountable for their learning as well as their groups learning. They have to help each other learn, which creates an environment of achievement. Teachers usually already have a pre-set problem and solution answer set that the students will be working to solve. Assessments can come through a variety of open-ended projects and their are clear obtainable goals set.
The following video detailed an excellent example of science classes using project-based learning: Project-Based Learning Video. Students are creating projects that demonstate what they have learned. I love that in this video they suggest "giving-up" curriculum which means getting rid of pacing guides and learning has to take place on a certain day. PBL allows students to use the knowledge they get through creation, collaboration, and experimentation. PBL increases student achievement, build communication and collaboration skills, creates higher-level thinking, and provides application through real-time projects. I love that they students can discuss and are knowledgable about their projects. A lot time group projects in traditional classrooms are done by only one group member and the rest have no idea what the topic was even about. Students who use PBL have to research and be held accountable for each other's learning. They also have to be able to communicate their findings to community members, faculty, or other groups.
Cooperative learning can place a lot of demands on teachers such as: time constraints, changing classroom environment, multiple projects going on at the same time, and lack of physical space. Having kids work in group does not necessiarily mean that cooperative learning is taking place. The Cooperative Learning article, suggests that group members have to depend on each other, have face-to-face interaction, each member has to be held accountable, and group members are recognized for achievement in order for cooperative learning to take place. It is very difficult with large classes and limited space to have continual group work. It can be very stressful on teachers because some group dynamics might not mix, competition might occur between team members or groups, and sharing of materials can be a problem. The role of the teacher is extremely important to group the students based on their personalities, skill level, and gender. A bad grouping of students can ruin an entire project and end result.
Questions to ponder ....
How does cooperative and collaborative learning impact student achievement?
How does the teacher manage differing group personalities?
Doesn't making other group member's responsible for their peers learning place "pressure" on the stronger students?
Student Needs Assessment Results:Survey Results